The Fresh Air Fund Here at Home

Published: April 16, 2006

It was ironic, and quite disappointing, that the very first New Jersey editorial you ran (''A Place With Real Stars,'' April 2) highlighted the New York City Fresh Air Fund.

As past chairmen and -women of the New Jersey Fresh Air Fund, we think you should have recognized our own local organization and the fabulous work it performs.

Last summer, 541 inner-city New Jersey children spent one or more weeks at one of nine camps in the New Jersey countryside. A wonderful group of young camp counselors runs these camps at very low salaries. As a result, the average cost per child per week of camp is $300, substantially lower than the New York program.

New Jersey citizens make contributions that enable this program to be successful; in fact, New Jersey law firms raise more than $100,000 annually for the Fresh Air Fund from a charitable softball tournament.

Michael R. Griffinger
Newark

This letter was also signed by nine other past chairmen and -women of the New Jersey Fresh Air Fund.